For those traveling without a personal car, this guide explains the options. Links to Google Maps are included for saving important locations.
Shared Taxi
The most popular way to get from Tashkent to Khujand is by shared taxi. The route works like this: Uzbek taxi drivers take you from Kuyluk Market to the Aybek border checkpoint. After crossing the border, Tajik taxi drivers meet you and drive you to Khujand. These are private drivers who gather 4–6 passengers and make their living by working in a highly competitive environment.
First, you need to get to “Kuyluk Market” (Google Maps link available). The easiest way is to take the metro to 7-Bekat Station. Once you arrive, taxi drivers will greet you with loud calls of “Aybek.” They usually wait near underpasses and under the bridge. You will wait until the car is full before starting your journey.
The cost of a shared taxi is 100,000 sums per person. This means other passengers will also pay the same fare. If you don’t want to wait for other passengers, you can book the whole car for 300,000 sums. Keep in mind that Uzbek drivers can be quite enterprising and may try to charge higher prices, so don’t accept unfair offers.
Important Note:
If you don’t have a Tajik or Uzbek passport, you must cross at the international terminal at Aybek. There are other checkpoints on the map, but some of them are not international, and you won’t be allowed through.
At the border, many individuals offer currency exchange services, but their rates are typically around 2% higher than official exchange offices. Both Uzbek and Tajik taxi drivers usually accept dollars, Tajik somoni, and Uzbek sums. There is an official currency exchange office with reasonable rates just outside the Tajik checkpoint on the left, near where Tajik taxi drivers wait.
After crossing, negotiate with the Tajik drivers and wait until the car is full. The standard fare from the Aybek checkpoint to Khujand is 50 somoni. By default, they will drop you off at “Taksistkho Maschoh“, but they may take you closer to the city center if it’s on their route.
If you need to exchange money in Khujand, it’s convenient to do so at the Sanduk exchange office ([Google Maps link available]). This exchange is not listed on maps but does exist.
Bus
Here’s the thing: sometimes buses are not running, and it’s quite difficult to find their schedule online. For instance, the Tajik company Asian Express has stopped operating on this route, and they don’t respond to inquiries on Instagram. It seems that recently an Uzbek company has started running buses, but if you decide to try this option, you should go to the bus station in advance to confirm the schedule.
Train
There is a way to travel through Samarkand, but it takes nearly a day. And tickets (if available) must be purchased at the station in advance. Even then, the train will only take you to Chkalovsk, a neighboring city, making this option less practical.
Plane
There are no direct flights between Tashkent and Khujand. Traveling by land is faster and more convenient.
Have a wonderful trip to Khujand!
